The prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among children aged 2-5 years in Indonesia is quite high. Poor oral health at an early age can have lasting impacts into adolescence and adulthood.
This issue has prompted Dhestina Syarifiah Berliani, a student from the Dental Hygiene Program at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), to develop a program aimed at reducing the risk of dental caries in young children.
Dhestina, along with Nadila Mareta, Isti Dyah Prastiwi, and Annisa Rifna Wardati, created the program called three-K (Caries Control Card). Their proposal successfully secured a grant through the 2024 Student Creativity Program in Community Service (PKM-PM) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
To implement the program, they conducted a training session for three-K Cadres at TK ABA Kauman on Wednesday, 17 July.
Leny Pratiwi Arie Sandy, S.Kp.G., MDSc., the supervising lecturer, stated that the program aims to raise awareness among teachers and parents about the importance of maintaining dental and oral health. “In the long term, they hope to initiate the establishment of School Dental Health Services (UKGS) within the kindergarten environment,” said Leny.
The training was attended by TK ABA Kauman teachers, the Head of Gondomanan Health Center, and representatives from the Basic and Secondary Education Division of ‘Aisyiyah at the District, Branch, and Sub-branch levels.
As part of the training, the PKM-PM three-K provided simple caries detection guidelines to the TK ABA Kauman teachers, who were trained to become three-K.
The training focused on using the Caries Control Card (three-K) as a tool to manage caries risk. It also included instructions on sterilizing detection tools to maintain their effectiveness over time.
The program was well-received by the participants, including Nur Asriyah, Head of the Basic and Secondary Education Division of ‘Aisyiyah. She noted that such initiatives are essential for preventing tooth decay. “The three-K activities at TK ABA Kauman as a partner can be expanded to other schools in Yogyakarta,” she said.
In a symbolic gesture, Dhestina, as the Team Leader, presented pins to the three-K. Kemudian juga memberikan boks deteksi sederhana three-K Cadres and also provided a box of three-K simple detection tools to Emi Widayati, Head of TK ABA Kauman.
The hope is that this program will provide students with regular monitoring of their dental and oral health through the caries control card, leading to improved quality of life and achievement.
Author: Pram | Editor: Fajar Budi H.
